Outside In

Outside In

Author: the Association of Performing Arts Professionals July 25, 2023 Duration: 36:13

Feeling like an “outsider” can be isolating, and sometimes you don’t even realize the weight you’re carrying until you find yourself in a place of belonging. In Episode 4, a circus performer, Shakespearean actor, classical musician, and Native storyteller share their journeys from “outsider” to “insider,” exploring representation, safe spaces, embracing identity and confronting privilege.

Introduction: “In The Spotlight” with Chris Rooney, a circus performer and founding member of the BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest in Chicago, Illinois.

Act One: “Barred from The Bard ” with Farah Merani, an actor, writer and arts educator in Los Angeles, California.

Act Two: “Into the Fold” with Mari Lee, the CEO and artistic director of Salon Séance in New York, New York.

Act Three: “Walking Between Worlds” with Leland Faulkner, a performing artist and arts educator. He lives in Maine on Mi'kmaq‎, Penobscot‎, Passamaquoddy‎ and Abenaki‎ tribal land.

You can find a full transcript and more on APAP’s website: https://apap365.org/podcast/arts-work-life-season-2-episode-4/

Are you a performing arts worker with a story to tell? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/AWLpodsubmit


Behind every curtain, every rehearsal room, and every touring schedule, there's a complex human story about making a living in creativity. ARTS. WORK. LIFE., produced by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, pulls back that velvet rope to share the candid, often unheard narratives from performers, administrators, technicians, and all the professionals who make the performing arts happen. This isn't about reviewing shows; it's about the realities of the workplace itself-the triumphs, the tensions, the unique culture, and the sheer grit required to sustain a life in this field. Each episode offers a grounded conversation that moves beyond the glamour to explore what it truly means to build a career centered on expression. Through these personal stories, the podcast builds a deeper understanding of the arts as an essential ecosystem of labor and passion. Tune in for honest reflections that resonate with anyone who has ever dedicated themselves to a craft, highlighting the vital intersection where artistic pursuit meets the everyday challenges of work and survival.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

ARTS. WORK. LIFE.
Podcast Episodes
Bowing Out, Letting Go, and Saying Goodbye [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
Even a simple setback can derail a career, so knowing when it’s time to change direction – or step away entirely – is invaluable. The storytellers in Episode 6 share their experiences navigating health crises, job transi…
The Human in Human Resources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:43
An organization is the sum of its people, so decisions about who to recruit, who to hire, and who to fire radically shape an organization's work culture. This is especially true in the human-centered work of the arts, wh…
Space, Place and Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:11
“Community” is a popular buzzword in the performing arts, but how do we truly deliver on its promise? It takes intentional effort to build a supportive work community, secure community gathering spaces, find a place to b…
From Burnout to Balance: Defying Death and Embracing Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:34
Arts workers often walk a tightrope between healthy boundaries and total burnout. But can we achieve balance? Episode 3 tells the stories of professionals assessing risks to physical and mental health, promoting work/lif…
Money, Money, Money: Hustle or Bust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
Let’s leave the “starving artist” trope firmly in the past -- The stories in Episode 2 are all about money: staying in the green while promoting pay equity, doing the hustle, healthcare scares, and making money by making…
Inclusion: What Does It Mean to Be “In the Room”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
The word inclusion is heard a lot in the arts industry, but are we truly inclusive? Episode 1 explores who is and isn't in the room, disability and access, the toll of leading DEI efforts, and choosing which community to…